The 49-year-old Reiter told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that his Sherpa guide pushed him behind some ice blocks and out of harm's way. He returned to base camp in Nepal and wrote a blog entry to let family and friends know he was OK.

Mount Everest is the last challenge in Reiter's goal of climbing the highest peak on each continent.

He says he will likely wait a few days before continuing the ascent up the 29,035-foot mountain.